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Colombia: Fear for safety

Jesús Emilio Tuberquia, Ovidio Antonio Tuberquia, Joaquín Graciano and the residents of San José de Apartadó: There is serious concern for the safety of inhabitants of San José de Apartadó following an incident involving death threats against inhabitants of the community. On 5 February 1998, the above-named peasant farmers were reportedly confronted by a group of heavily-armed men in military uniform and were assaulted and threatened with death.The armed men are believed to be members of army-backed paramilitary groups operating in the region. In the past those labelled guerrilla sympathizers or collaborators by the security forces or their paramilitary allies have frequently been the target of serious human rights violations.